Gearbox services

Differential Service

The differential is part of your vehicle's drivetrain, and is a gearbox located between the drive wheels of your vehicle. Most 4-wheel drive vehicles have both a front and rear differential. The differential works with your transmission to deliver power from the engine to the axle that turns your wheels. The differential also makes turning your car possible. Using a series of gears, the differential allows the wheels to turn at different speeds (the outside wheels need to turn faster than the inside wheels during a turn), enabling corner turning with improved traction.

The differential gears are lubricated with a fluid (referred to as differential fluid or differential oil) that carries heat away from them, preserving their life and performance. Over time, high operating temperatures can cause the differential fluid to break down. When this happens, or if leaks develop or the differential fluid becomes contaminated, the gears won’t work together smoothly. If the differential gears start to grind together, continued driving can cause expensive damage.

During the service, the old differential fluid is replaced with new fluid that contains additives to help keep the seals, gears, and bearings operating properly.

Transfer Case Service

The transfer case is a gearbox that splits the power between the front and rear axles on 4-wheel-drive vehicles. In all-wheel-drive vehicles, the transfer case helps to shift power from one axle to another, depending upon traction conditions. Lubricating gear oil helps keep the gears cool, clean, and turning smoothly. Gear oil additives break down in all gearboxes at different intervals. Replacing this fluid at owner’s manual recommended intervals can help prevent premature wear and damage caused by contaminated or broken-down gear oil. During the service, The old fluid is replaced with new fluid according to owner’s manual recommendations.

Extends the life of the differential

Protects against rust and corrosion in the differential

Minimizes the effects of oxidation deterioration due to heat and high speed driving

Minimizes the effects of oxidation deterioration due to heat and high speed driving

Reduces wear and gear flaking

Maintains seals and bearings

Maintains vehicle warranty requirements

Does your gearbox need service?

A gearbox service should be based on your owner’s manual recommended intervals, or under special circumstances, such as water contamination. Your Grease Monkey™ technician will check your owner’s manual and let you know the proper gearbox service interval for your specific vehicle.